Julie Moreno
Student Testimonial
MA International Affairs (2018)
BA International Development (2014)
Member/Adjudicator (Refugee Protection Division) at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
Previous employment:
- Research Specialist (Research Directorate) at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
- Project Lead at Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association
- Refugee Case Manager at Canada Immigration Services
- Assistant to Members at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
- Project Coordinator/Research Assistant at the Centre for Meditation, Peace, and Resolution of Conflict
What I enjoyed most about NPSIA was all the different relationships I was able to make. In my bachelor’s degree, I found it really hard to connect with professors and colleagues as the classes were large in size and lecture-based. At NPSIA, class sizes were small and structured more like seminars, which created a very engaging, interactive, and hands-on learning environment. My stream within NPSIA was also only 10-12 people, which allowed for great relationship-building and knowledge-sharing. I was also able to get to know professors on a more personal level and create deeper relationships with them, which effectively, increased my learning experience. Furthermore, I was able to make amazing friendships with my fellow students, which I still maintain to this day.
My studies at NPSIA taught me how to think critically, how to be resilient, curious, and hardworking. At this level of academic studies, you realize that you have a lot of learning to do, and that it’s not as easy as you think to get the grades you want. NPSIA taught me that you have to work twice as hard to get where you want to be, but that the journey is full of amazing discoveries. My studies also taught me how to critically analyze…. really analyze…. all the information you are given – you have to question it, question every perspective, every opinion, and then question some more! My MA taught me to dive deep, explore different topics, learn from others, and open my mind to different ideas and ways of thinking. It allowed me to get to where I am today because it equipped me with all the academic tools and skills, as well as the determination and curiosity I need to follow any path I wish in the future!
In my current job position, I work as a Member within the Refugee Protection Division at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, where I adjudicate and make decisions on refugee claims.
NPSIA is hard, challenging, exhilarating, stressful, emotional, and amazing all in one. Enjoy every class, every lecture, every professor, learn as much as you can, soak it all in, and take advantage of the opportunities that come with living in Ottawa!